Audi has given its strongest indication yet that the company’s R8 e-tron will be built.

Previously citing the car’s 200 kilometre (124m) range as a stumbling block, insiders at Ingolstadt are now claiming that advances in lithium-ion battery technology featuring an alternative chemical process has increased that figure to almost 400 kilometres.

Attending the Detroit Motor Show, Audi’s new head, Ulrich Hackenberg, confirmed that he was discussing the project with the board, adding: “I think electric drive has a big future. With battery tech now it is vital to have plug-in hybrids, but as batteries improve we will move more towards all-electric.”

In its current incarnation the R8 e-tron utilizes a A 49 KWh lithium-ion battery to feed electric motors generating a total output of 230 kW (308 hp) and 820 Nm of torque. At 1,780 kg it’s 220 kg heavier than the R8 V8, but performance is still impressive, with 100 km/h (62 mph) happening in just 4.6 seconds, while top speed is governed to 200 km/h (124 mph).

No date for sale has been set, but we believe that it will be added to the next-generation R8 range towards the end of next year.